Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-28
THE RlCHMOND JAIL.
commissioners Once More Report
Against IL.

Against IL.
| The following was submitted 10 the
Judge OF the Hastings Court yesterday:
| To His Honor, Thomas s. Atkins, .Judqe
Of the HuStingS Court Of Richmond:
"We respectfully present to your Honor
the following quarterly report as inspectors
OF the city lail as Of the 18th OF June In
| slant. the date oi our last VISIT
"Of the general arrangements Of the
building and means OF accommodation as a
prison we deem it unnecessary TO say any
thing at present, further than TO rtiterate
what we have so frequently and fully re-.
presented IN former reports-eur opinion
OF IFS utter unGtness and inadequacy to
satisfy the requirements OF the law or the
dictates OF humanity.
UNCLEAN.
"Thc general condition OF the Jail did
rot present so favorable an appearance as
we have observed on former visits. The
entrance or outer yard had not received
proper attention TO cleanliness, and Eor
tion Of it we found numbered with barrels
Of fish and other stores packed away under
the stairway and upper platform, crowdlng
and contracting this area, which should be
kept free and unobstructed at all times, rs
In case Of fire or other emergency IL would
be needed for the reception OF the prisoners
and for the free action OF Gremen.
"The eastern enclosure allotted TO the
saiekeeping OF the male white prisoners
presented a more satisfactory appearance,
showing no want OF care aud attention TO
cleanliness. though here, as IN every de.
pariment OF the prison, the repulsiye Odor
Of the water.clOsets Is disgustingly sensi-
bic.
"This is still mere pcrceptible on enter
ing the western enclosure, where are con-
gregated the male cOlored prisoners, con.
Stituting more than One-hali OF all the IN
mates OF the jail, aud consequently de-
manding more constant attention 10 clean
Illness. The sanitary arrangements are i'll
constructed and very defective, and are
liable to become the fruitful source Of ma.
lignant infection, even where constructed
with the greatest skill and guarded with
the greatest care.
alt is not probable that the evil can be en-
tIrely remedied in thi. building, though by
proper care and vigilance the nuisance
might be greatly modified, and we think
vast improvement on the existing primitive
and RECONSTRUCTED arrangements here
adopted might be suggested by the inge.
nuily Of 4 qualified expert. Decency, II
not humanity, calls loudly for remedy.
COMPLAINT FROM TIE PRISONERS.
"During our inspection OF the eastern
enclosure we were met by number OF the
prisoners complaining most grieyOusly OF
the fare furnished them, and, judging By
the specimen of breakfast ration ex-
hibled by them, consisting OF modlcum
OF ilI.coOked cornbrcad and a small dil.
II ~Is = g.N Iraf
admit that ample cause existed for the com.
plant. Whether accidental or premedI-
tatCd, such causes Of complaint are 10 be
deprecated. They tend to arouse mllig
nant feelings in the hearts Of prisoners and
to convert them into implaclbe enemies OF
the law and OF society, OF whose yndictiSe
persecution they come TO consider them-
solves the victims.
FOOD.
"With regard TO the food TO beIurnished
TO prisoners the law Is somewhat vague
and indefinite. 1t simply requires that it
shall be Wholesome and sufficient '--torms
that admit Of wide range OF interpret1.
tion, according as il is dictated by feelings
Of pinching cupidity or OF liberal gen.
erOsity, but which probably should be de-
termined by an appeal to the arbitrdmeut
so generally commended but 90 seldom
adopted in practice Of put yourself IN his
Ilace. or as enioined by higher authority
Of AS ye would that others should do TO
YOU, do We also to them likewise
But We are Of opinion that before any
tribunal the bill Of fare here daily served 10
the prisoners would be pronounced too |
uniform and inyar.ble, II Of good quality |
and in sufficient quantity, more especially
a. il consists Of tire cheapest and cOIrse,t |
articles Of food. Ii might, we think, be |
improved by the occasional substitution Oi |
wheat for corn bread, OF fresh meats for fal |
bacon or salt behring's, and Of ieH nesb, |
succulent vegetables for dried peas.
"Oi the stores submitted 10 our in.pec |
ton we found the quality sound and whole.
some, with the exception O' the coffee, |
which certainly is OF the very lowest grade, |
ard seemed to consist wholly Of the r.
jCcted pickiDgs OF a condemned lo'. ], |
should be changed.
CONvICTs.
lit is probably our duty to report that |
we have heretofore reported that those pro-
visions Of the law reqlrlng the iailcr TO |
furnish every prisoner with bed and |
bedding cleanIy and sufficient and that
'the cOnvicts, and those not cOnVIctS, shall |
be kept in apartments from each other and |
from the other prisoners are utterly |
ignored here.
SUMMARY.
"The general health and condition Of the |
prisoners we found good, CT whom there |
were 1914, consisting Of-whitcs, Il male;
and , females: colored, &c males and 20 ie-
males total, 124.
"All OF " hich is respectfully submitted. |
"CUARLEs {. MILLS,
"THOMAs POTTS,
"ANTHONY BARGANIN,
"Inspeclors.'
" RCtmOnd, June 10, 1881"